Cable tensioning apparatus

ABSTRACT

Apparatus for tensioning a cable employed for repairing deformed yieldable structures in which one end thereof has a generally Ushaped configuration. The legs of the U-shaped end is joined by a slotted cross piece to receive in locking engagement therewith a cable to be tensioned. Extending from the U-shaped end is an integrally formed threaded rod. A threaded impact tube receives the rod in threaded engagement therewith. The free end of the impact tube is suitably notched to receive a conventional air operated impact wrench. Between the U-shaped end and the impact tube is an abutment member that has a suitable opening to receive the rod. The abutment member engages a fixed post or bar to maintain a stationary position. When the impact wrench rotates the impact tube, the impact tube engages the abutment member to maintain a fixed location longitudinally while rotating about its axis. As a consequence thereof, the rod is drawn into the tube and the U-shaped end applies a tension to the cable attached thereto. In a modification thereof, a rectangular frame has a transverse end thereof notched to receive a cable to be tensioned. The opposite transverse leg engages one end of a conventional hydraulic jack to apply a force thereto by the hydraulic jack in a longitudinal direction away from the cable retaining transverse leg. The hydraulic jack has its opposite end in engagement with a fixed post or bar. By extending the post of the hydraulic jack out of the cylinder thereof, the transverse leg in engagement with the hydraulic tracks urges the longitudinal legs of the rectangular frame to apply a force to the cable tensioning leg of the frame for tensioning the cable attached thereto.

United States Patent [1 1 Sanchez [451 July 31,1973

Primary Examiner-0thell M. Simpson Assistant ExaminerRobert C. Watson Attorney-Jack M. Wiseman [57] ABSTRACT Apparatus for tensioning a cable employed for repairing deformed yieldable structures in which one end thereof has a generally U-shaped configuration. The legs of the U-shaped end is joined by a slotted cross piece to receive in locking engagement therewith a cable to be tensioned. Extending from the U-shaped end is an integrally formed threaded rod. A threaded impact tube receives the rod in threaded engagement therewith. The free end of the impact tube is suitably notched to receive a conventional air operated impact wrench. Between the U-shaped end and the impact tube is an abutment member that has a suitable opening to receive the rod. The abutment member engages a fixed post or bar to maintain a stationary position. When the impact wrench rotates the impact tube, the impact tube engages the abutment member to maintain a fixed location longitudinally while rotating about its axis. As a consequence thereof, the rod is drawn into the tube and the U-shaped end applies a tension to the cable attached thereto.

In a modification thereof, a rectangular frame has a transverse end thereof notched to receive a cable to be tensioned. The opposite transverse leg engages one end of a conventional hydraulic jack to apply a force thereto by the hydraulic jack in a longitudinal direction away from the cable retaining transverse leg. The hydraulic jack has its opposite end in engagement with a fi P 917M? .131 .sxtsnins "the, 982,221.99 hydraulic jack out of the cylinder thereo the transverse leg in engagement with the hydraulic tracks urges the longitudinal legs of the rectangular frame to apply a force to the cable tensioning leg of the frame for tensioning the cable attached thereto.

4 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures PAIENIU m1. 3 1 ms SHEET 2 or z T'Il3 '7 CABLE TENSIONING APPARATUS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Tension jacks have been heretofore employed in vehicle body repair work to apply tension to cables. However, such tension jacks had many complicated parts and lacked versatility. Consequently, they were overly expensive and were limited in use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Apparatus for tensioning cable in which a threaded rod is received by a threaded tube. The free end of the rod carries a notched member for retaining a cable to be tensioned. An impact wrench engages a suitable notched end of the tube to rotate the same. An abutment member receives the rod and is engaged by the tube to hold the tube in a fixed longitudinal position while rotated about its axis, whereby the rod is drawn into the tube to apply a force to the cable through the notched cable retaining member.

In the modification, a frame has one end notched to receive a cable for applying a tensioning force thereto. A jack abutting against a fixed surface urges the opposite end of the frame in a direction to apply a force to the cable for tensioning the same.

By virtue of the foregoing, inexpensive yet versatile cable tensioning apparatus are provided, which are adaptable for repairing deformed yieldable structures.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an apparatus for tensioning cable embodying the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1 with the abutment plate removed to illustrate the threaded engagement between an impact tube and rod tereof.

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectionalview similar to FIG. 2 to illustrate the movement of the rod within the impact tube.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the apparatus shown in FIGS. 1-3 illustrated with an abutment member thereof engaging a stationary surface and an impact wrench engaging the free end of the impact tube.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a modification of the apparatus for tensioning cable shown in FIGS. 1-4. FIG. 6 is a side elevation view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 5 illustrated with an hydraulic jack in engagement with a stationary surface.

FIG.'7-is a side elevation view similar to FIG. 6 to illustrate the tensioning movement of the apparatus shown in FIG. 5-6.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Illustrated in FIGS. 1-4 is an apparatus 10 for applying a force to a cable C for tensioning the same. The cable C is in the form of a chain'with links. The apparatus 10 comprises a cable retaining member 11 which is slotted at 12 to receive and hold the end of the cable C. Integrally formed with the slotted cable retaining member 11 is a U-shaped end portion 15. The cable retaining member 11 is disposed at an acute angle relative to the legs of the U-shaped end portion 15 and the slot 12. More specifically, the slot 12 is disposed at an acute angle relative to the axis of a threaded rod 20.

Integrally formed with the base of the U-shaped end portion 15 is the threaded rod 20. The rod is received by an impact tube 25. The impact tube 25 is threaded and thus receives the rod 20 in threaded engagement. The free end of the impact tube 25 is suitably notched at 26 (FIG. 4) to receive a conventional impact wrench 30.

Disposed between the U-shaped portion 15 and the impact tube 25 is an abutment plate 35. The abutment plate 35 is suitably apertured at 36 to freely receive the threaded rod 20. The configuration of the wall surrounding the aperture 36 conforms to the contour of the adjacent end of the impact tube 25 so that the end of the impact tube is nested in the aperture 36 of the abutment plate 35.

In practice, the abutment plate rests against a stationary surface P (FIG. 4) at a wall thereof opposite from the wall thereof engaging the impact tube. The air impact wrench is inserted into a notch 26 of the impact tube 25 to rotate the impact tube 25 about its axis while the impact tube 25 remains in a fixed longitudinal position. As a consequence therof, the rod 20 is drawn into the tube 25. This action causes the U-shaped portion 15 to apply a force to the cable retaining member 11 which, in turn, exerts a force on the cable C to tension the cable C.

Illustrated in FIGS. 5-7 is an apparatus 50 for tensioning a cable C, which cable is in the form of a chain having links. The apparatus 50 comprises a frame 55 having parallel transverse members 56 and 57 interconnected by parallel longitudinal members 58 and 59. In the exemplary embodiment, the transverse members 56 and 57 are welded to the longitudinal members 58 and 59.

The inner wall of the transverse member 56 is notched or slotted at 60 (FIG. 5) to receive the end of the cable C for retaining the same. Thus, the transverse member 56 is a cable retaining member for applying a force thereto to tension the same. Disposed in engagement with the inner wall of transverse member 57 is a conventional hydraulic jack (FIGS. 6-7). The hydraulic jack 70 also engages a fixed or stationary surface P. Thus, the extending of the hydraulicjack 70 causes the transverse member 57 to move in a direction away from the stationary surface P. This action causes the longitudinal members 58 and 59 to move with the transversev member 57 and apply a force to the cable retaining member 56 to tension the cable C.

I claim: I 1. Apparatus for tensioning a cable comprising: a. a tube with an inner threaded wall; b. a threaded rod disposed in said tube in threaded engagement with the inner wall thereof, said rod projecting out of said tube; I

c. a cable retaining member carried by said rod for movement therewith, said cable retaining member including a first generally U-shaped section connected at the end of said rod with the legs thereof directed away from said rod and in the axial direction with respect to the axis of said rod, said cable retaining member including a second generally U- shaped section carried bysaid first U-shaped section, said second U-shaped section havingits legs received by said first U-shaped section and disposed at acute angle relative to a plane passing through the legs of said first U-shaped section; and

d. abutment means disposed between said cable retaining member and said tube, said abutment means being-formed with an aperture for freely reis apertured at the end thereof removed from said abutment means to receive said tool for the application of a rotating force thereto.

4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein the configuration of a wall surrounding the aperture of said abutment means conforms to the contour of the end of said tube adjacent thereto for nesting said tube in said aperture of said abutment means.

' I t t I 

1. Apparatus for tensioning a cable comprising: a. a tube with an inner threaded wall; b. a threaded rod disposed in said tube in threaded engagement with the inner wall thereof, said rod projecting out of said tube; c. a cable retaining member carried by said rod for movement therewith, said cable retaining member including a first generally U-shaped section connected at the end of said rod with the legs thereof directed away from said rod and in the axial direction with respect to the axis of said rod, said cable retaining member including a second generally U-shaped section carried by said first U-shaped section, said second Ushaped section having its legs received by said first U-shaped section and disposed at acute angle relative to a plane passing through the legs of said first U-shaped section; and d. abutment means disposed between said cable retaining member and said tube, said abutment means being formed with an aperture for freely receiving said rod and arranged to be engaged by said tube to inhibit longitudinal movement of said tube toward said cable retaining member.
 2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 and comprising a tool engaging said tube for rotating said tube about its axis while said tube is inhibited against longitudinal movement toward said said cable retaining member to retract said rod into said tube for applying a force to said cable retaining member.
 3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said tube is apertured at the end thereof removed from said abutment means to receive said tool for the application of a rotating force thereto.
 4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein the configuration of a wall surrounding the aperture of said abutment means conforms to the contour of the end of said tube adjacent thereto for nesting said tube in said aperture of said abutment means. 